Happy New Year's Eve!

As I could say in any of these types of posts.. a lot has happened this past year. But 2011 was a really big year for Ian and I. We bought our first house. It was important to us that this wasn't our starter home. The intent was to make it a place we would want to live for many years. I think we succeeded! I'm hoping that the driveway will be finished in the early part of the year and we can finish our time lapse video... In the spring, we plan to put in a few trees to get them growing.

The one big disappointment for this year was that I didn't get to see my family enough. The main reason was because of our big purchase. But after hosting Christmas, we decided that 2012 will be very different. The first visit will be in April and we have rough dates for 3 more visits. I'm going to have to start helping my sister plan Max's Big Blowout Birthday Bash Bananza!

Aside from looking forward to visits with my family, Ian and I will probably begin thinking about starting a family. As people have been reminding us, we have nice big house to fill!

Best wishes to everyone, my love to my family and close friends. Thank you for listening or reading the constant House Building Talk. Thanks for being supportive of me and my crazy worries. Happy New Year's Eve and I hope everyone has a good start to 2012!

Showing My California Love

On New Years Eve!

Significant Snowfall

On average, Kitchener, Ontario gets 52 inches of snow each winter. So far we've had maybe an inch or so. Today, there was a good coating. It was heavy wet stuff so Ian decided to shovel it tonight. It's still snowing and we're expecting another 2 inches. Fun!

Post Christmas Cheer

My New Toy!

It's a Scoshe myTREK! It's a thing for working out. It fits around my forearm and tracks my pulse. It connects to an app on my phone and shows how my workout went. Love it!!

Same As Coal?

Ian got a brick for Christmas. Is that like getting a piece of coal? :)

O, Christmas Tree! - 2011

Since it's Christmas Eve AND I just found the missing SD card... here are some pictures of our first Christmas tree. I think it was a learning experience for us... When I cut the netting around the tree, it reminded me of this clip.

It was a little hard to get a good picture of the tree since it's white outside (not as white as I wish it was!).

 

 

And here it is lit up. I'm not sure I'm totally sold on the colored lights. I think we might try white lights next year. I don't know. The colored lights seem more traditional to me. Either way, I love it!

 

The Cookie Incident

It has been about a week since my family left. Ian and I have been missing Max and Coop hardcore (and everyone else...). We had gotten Max the following toy...

One of the cookies ended up getting lost before they left. On Tuesday, I opened the dishwasher and saw this...

Ian and I just stared at it going what the.... Turns out somehow (*cough*Max*cough*) the cookie ended up in the dishwasher. We had opened and closed numerous times... I think we even ran the dishwasher at least once.

I guess Max felt that it was best if the cookie stays with us. =P

My First Snow Shoveling Experience

It was awesome. Short though. Ian grabbed the shovel from me. =P

Max Quacks: Who's Into Art?

I am!

Loading The Tree With Lights!

Updated Countdown

I've switched the countdown on the left to Max's Birthday Blowout! We are going big once again for Max 2.0~

New Backsplash!

During the annual Christmas visit, we decided to put Derek's home reno skillz to work and put up a new backsplash. He suggested to put the tile up just behind the stovetop and then continue it along the wall if we liked it. I loved the idea of only putting it up in that one spot that I immediately started to find the tile. Here is the finished result. Many thanks to Derek for taking time during his vacation to give our kitchen a little sparkle.

 

Here is the tile close up. Some of the pictures I took made it look really white... but the tiles bring out all the colors of the kitchen. The gray tiles seem to pull the blue out of the wall color. I love it.

 

 

Our Chubby Christmas Tree

..pre-flooph! (Before the branches relax and spread out. =P)

Snow Is Coming Down

A good Friday at home... wish my family was still here. But I'm happy that the Petty gang is not driving in it.

Coop Scoop: Cheese!!!

Adorbs.

Max's Favorite Spot at Aunt B's House

The front window. Low to the ground. Full view of all the haps. :)

SNOWBALL FIGHT!!

(Not really... but almost!)

My Favorite Road: Winterized

Merry Christmas From The Petty Boys

Max Quacks: Yes Aunt B?

I love his expression.

New Backsplash

Here is Ian cleaning up the tile he and Derek put up. By Saturday it should be done. I'll post finished pictures then. Thanks Derek and EEEEEE (Ian in Max-speak).

YAY

These little ballers are rolling up here tonight. Can't wait!